topic Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller in Disk Enclosures

firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

Mari ONeill_1 — Wed, 07 Jul 2004 18:14:49 GMT

How do I update the firmware on a clustered RA4100 Array Controller?

Thanks

Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

RBaker — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 04:06:44 GMT

Best if you take the servers down, boot one from the firware diskette. If you have redundant controllers HOT PLUG out the standby (LED NO9 off), update the firmware, HOT PLUG IN standby, HOT PLUG out the other one and repeat. Each takes about 4 mins. If you try to do both at the same time then it can take up to 15 mins, if you don't HOT PLUG then they get confused with who is active.

I've done it semi-live a couple of times but definately not for the faint hearted.

Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

Mari ONeill — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 10:02:56 GMT

Hi Richard, thanks for replying to my post so quickly.

Just to make sure I understand what needs to be done.

We have three servers connected via fiber hub to three drive cages. the servers are DL380 G1s and the SAN Drive cages are where the RA4100s reside. The servers are running NetWare 6.0 sp4.

With that in mind, if I understand you correctly, I would boot one of the three servers to the Options ROMPaq for RAID Controllers Version 3.10a diskettes and upgrade the controllers located in the Drive Cages?

Thanks for all your help,
Mari

Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

RBaker — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 11:13:03 GMT

Basically yes, but make sure all but one of the servers is off, and update a single RA4100 controller at a time (quicker). Power off any enclosures not in use and if you do have dual controller in one enclosure hot plug the standby controller(Led 9 off) update the firmware then replace the other controller (give it 3 or so mins to boot up) then hot plug the other and update. Repeat for all the enclosures.

Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

Mari ONeill — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 11:18:00 GMT

Thanks again Richard.

We're going to schedule an outage for our cluster.

Mari

Re: firmware update on RA4100 Array Controller

RBaker — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 11:22:36 GMT

Best of luck, make sure you give them a good few minutes to update (has taken as long as 5 mins for me, usually 2-3 though).